SIPTU’s view must not be challenged

I REFER to the letter from Patrick Jordan (Irish Examiner, July 14), who believes it is ‘arrogant’ to express a viewpoint that is critical of SIPTU.

How dare Ryanair question or criticise a union that has no genuine interest in competition, the rights of the consumer, 5,000 new jobs, over 30 new routes from/to Ireland, €29 fares to Europe and 20 million new visitors to Ireland?

Whose real interest are the unions looking after?

Mr Jordan talks of 'democratic rights' are those the same 'democratic rights' that clearly do not tolerate criticism of any kind? The same 'democratic rights' that brought the Aer Rianta airports to a standstill recently, ruining the plans of tens of thousands of Irish holiday-makers, when the Government and Seamus Brennan confirmed that there would be no jobs at risk?

SIPTU has singularly failed to support any initiative that will reduce prices and improve services to consumers. Irish consumers witnessed this when SIPTU brought Dublin city centre to a standstill because the Government was proceeding with its plans for deregulation of the taxi industry. Again, complete disregard for the interests of consumers.

We do not live in a Stalinist dictatorship where anything but the party line is not tolerated.

Paul Fitzsimmons,

Head of Communications,

Ryanair,

Dublin Airport.